Merrimack Valley

Methuen Santa Parade this Saturday

By J.J. Huggins
jhuggins@eagletribune.com
Published: November 20, 2008

METHUEN — The holiday season kicks off Saturday in traditional style with the Methuen Santa Parade.

This year's parade will have 15 floats, including newcomers like Kimball Farm, which will have horses and wagons, and Clean River Project, which will have pontoon boats on flatbed trucks.

Other highlights will include floats from the city's grammar schools and from Presentation of Mary Academy, as well as the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Target will have employees handing out candy canes, and there will be 14 bands and a host of people from around the community.

The Nevins Memorial Library trustees will serve as the grand marshals. There will be clowns, and of course, Santa Claus will be at the end of the parade.

"It starts off the season. All the kids are going to see Santa," said Santa Parade Committee member Jill Stackelin.

The parade starts at 1 p.m., at the corner of Pelham and Barker streets. The route will follow Pelham Street, turn left onto Lowell Street, right onto Hampshire Street, right onto Broadway, and end at the Methuen/Lawrence border.

The city will have a parking ban from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day at the following locations: Pelham Street (from Interstate 93 to Lowell Street), Lowell Street (between Pelham and Hampshire streets), Hampshire Street (between Lowell Street and Broadway), Broadway (from the Route 213 east on ramp to the Lawrence line) and Mystic Street (between the Methuen Housing Authority and Orchard Street).

The Pelham Street park and ride will be closed from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic will be detoured around the parade route from 12:30 p.m. until about 4 p.m. Southbound traffic on Route 28 will be detoured at Route 213 east. Northbound traffic on Route 28 will be detoured at the Methuen/Lawrence line.

Coming up on Sunday, Nov. 30, the city will have its annual Methuen Tree Lighting at Riverwalk Park on Osgood Street.

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with DJ Donna and the Center for Performing Arts singing group.

Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to help Mayor William Manzi light the tree. There will be cookies and hot chocolate.